Magomed Ankalaev Accuses Alex Pereira’s Team of Targeting His Injury At UFC 320
Magomed Ankalaev believes he’s found Alex Pereira’s UFC 320 cheat code.
For context, Ankalaev won the light heavyweight strap at UFC 313 in 2025 by dethroning Pereira by unanimous decision. However, just 6 months later, at UFC 320, “Poatan” dismantled Ankalaev in just 80 seconds to recapture the throne.
The Russian fighter believes Pereira knew he was injured and thus rushed at him for the final kill right after the opening bell at UFC 320. The 34-year-old recently told Bostanov MMA:
“His business with me isn’t settled at all. You could call what happened a lucky punch. That’s how he beat me. I think they knew I had some kind of injury. I don’t think any fighter had ever rushed at me like that before. If he hadn’t known I was injured, I don’t think it would have ended so quickly.”
Check out Magomed Ankalaev’s comments below:
After losing his title, news surfaced that Ankalaev broke his ribs during training, and the injury prevented him from sparring or training properly before the “Poatan” title rematch.
Pereira and Ankalaev are now tied 1-1, and a trilogy bout, at least for now, is off the cards, as Pereira has moved up to heavyweight and now wants to become the first three-division UFC champion. He has zero interest in moving down and has said that explicitly.
On his heavyweight debut, the 39-year-old was knocked out by Ciryl Gane in Round 2 at UFC Freedom 250. Now, Pereira will lock horns with Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335.
Ankalaev, meanwhile, returned to winning ways earlier this year by defeating Bogdan Guskov. However, the bout was an absolute snoozefest.
Magomed Ankalaev Could Face Former UFC Middleweight Champion Soon
During the same sit-down, Magomed Ankalaev revealed there has been some chatter about him facing Dricus du Plessis at light heavyweight. Ankalaev considers a bout with the South African a “good fight” and is game to throw down with “Stillknocks.” He added:
“There’s some talk about Dricus du Plessis. He wants to move up, and it’s possible they’ll arrange a fight between us. That’s the information we have for now… It’s a good fight for me, and I’m interested in it myself.”
Check out Magomed Ankalaev’s comments below:
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